The first and opening Twenty20 International (T20I) of a three-match series between host New Zealand and visiting Pakistan will be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Friday. Watch the live stream and videos here and here, and get live scores here, here and here. The 20-over match starts at 7 p.m. local time (6 a.m. GMT/ 1 a.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PKT) on Jan. 15.
New Zealand is hosting Pakistan for a three-match T20I and a three-match One Day International (ODI) series. The Eden Park T20I marks the return of controversial Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Amir to international Cricket. Amir was banned for five years for his involvement in spot fixing.
"We know that Amir's a very good bowler and he's another guy we're going to have to deal with. It's pretty much as simple as that for us," Kiwi bowling coach Dimitri Mascarenhas said, according to ESPN Cricinfo.
"He's done his time and been cleared to play," Mascarenhas said. "So we'll just get on with it and play against him," he added.
The Black Caps, who recently thrashed Sri Lanka in an ODI as well as a T20 series, are looking to continue their exceptional form. Colin Munro's second fastest T20 fifty, off just 14 balls, powered New Zealand to series win against Sri Lanka on Saturday, according to BBC Sports.
The Probable Squads:
New Zealand: Kane Williamson, Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Grant Elliott, Martin Guptill, Matt Henry, Tom Latham, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Luke Ronchi, Mitchell Santner, Ross Taylor.
Pakistan: Shahid Afridi, Aamer Yamim, Ahmed Shehzad, Anwar Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Saad Nasim, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shoaib Malik, Sohaib Maqsood, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab Riaz.
